Method and apparatus for photographic printing



METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING i A Filed Jan. 4, 1967Sept. 8,y v197() s. JEFFEE ETAAL' 2 sheets-'sheet 1 NWN s .gl

s,JEFF-:E ET AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAXHIC PRINT Filed Jan.4, 1967 A ING sept. 8, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O3,527,531 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING Saul Jeffee,Scarsdale, N.Y., and `lohn Kowalak, River lIdjgge, NJ., assignors toMovielab, Inc., New York,

Filed Jan. 4, 1967, Ser. No. 607,252 Int. Cl. G03b 27/ 04 U. S. Cl.355-89 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Marks are placed on soundtrack negative in correspondance with transition between scenes oncorresponding preprint film to control lighting during printing on rawstock.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for printing on rawstock film from a preprint film in association with photographicprinting techniques.

In the printing of motion picture film it is customary practice to use asingle preprint film for the production of a multitude of films suitablefor use in motion picture projectors. This requires that a preprint filmbe employed to print upon a plurality of raw stock films.

The preprint film will ordinarily include therein a sequence of scenes,each possibly having different optimum printing parameters. For example,one scene may require a greater lighting amplitude or more red or moreof any specific color in order to provide the finest end product afterthe printing technique has been effected.

To achieve the finest end product, it is conventional to inspect thepreprint film and torecord the optimum printing parameters for eachscene. It is also conventional in employing the thusly inspectedpreprint film in a printing operation to employ this recordedinformation to set up the optimum printing parameters for eachparticular scene as the printing operation is being effected.

Continuous printing operations are known in which the automatic controlof the optimum printing parameters is effected through the use ofvarious devices. For example, it is known to put edge notches directlyon the preprint film to indicate the transition from one scene toanother, whereupon new optimum printing parameters are set up byautomatic apparatus. Metal clips are also now conventionally employedfor purposes of R.F. cuing, these indicia being placed directly on thefilm employed in the printing operation.

It is an object of the invention to eliminate the edge notching ofHpreprint film while nevertheless providing a very advantageoustechnique in respect of indicating the transition between scenes on thepreprint film for purposes of controlling optimum printing parameterts.

In so eliminating this edge notching, the invention avoids the weakeningeffect which is inherent in this technique of providing scene indicia onpreprint film. Moreover, as will be shown, the invention advantageouslyprovides for minimizing the handling of the preprint film in such amanner as to increase the longevity thereof. As will also becomeapparent, the invention provides for the elimination of the need forcomplicated electronic apparatus which provides for time delaysessential to synchronizing the detection of scene transition indiciawith the passage of the various scenes through a printing zone.

In addition to the above, the invention also provides for eliminatingthe R.F. cuing techniques which have been found undesirable in manyrespects. As will also appear, the invention tends to eliminate thecriticality of the previously employed edge notching techniques,especially as regards A'and B printing fwhere the different 3,527,531Patented Sept. 8, 1970 ICC types of materials employed have differentshrinkage rates which render the printing operations inaccurate.

As will also appear from 'the description which follows hereinafter, theinvention provides for the possibility of storing information other thanmerely the indicia of a transition of scenes. Still further it willappear that the indicia of the invention are provided in such a manneras to be capable of lasting longer and therefore the new techniqueavoids the need for constantly replacing the film or other such materialon which the indicia are stored.

Still further the invention eliminates the possible lack ofsynchronization between a picture film and the associated sound track,both of which are originally present in the form of preprint materialand are cooperatively transferred to raw stock by techniques which areconventional and well known.

As will moreover become apparent, the invention facilitates the reversedriving of preprint material and the synchronization therewith with theraw stock being printed upon upon and as well facilitates thesynchronization of the preprint material with the raw stock in the eventthat the reversed drive printing technique is employed.

To achieve the above and other of its objectives and advantages theinvention proposes a method of printing on raw stock film from apreprint film having therein a sequence of scenes having differentoptimum printing parameters, said method comprising indicating thetransitions of one scene to another by the use of indicia on a furtherfilm which is separate from the first said preprint film, such indiciabeing employed to initiate adjustment of the optimum printing parametersfor each scene. More particularly, the invention proposes that thisfurther film be the preprint sound track film which is employed inassociation with the first said preprint film so that it is notnecessary to provide an extra film having no utility although it ispossible within the scope of the invention to provide a dummy film ifthe same is required.

At the same time apparatus is provided in accordance with the inventioncomprising means for transporting raw stock film through a printing zoneand means for transporting a preprint film through this printing zone insynchronization with the raw stock film, the preprint film havingtherein scenes having different optimum printing parameters and afurther film being provided having indicia therein to indicate thetransition between the scenes in the aforesaid preprint film. There isthen provided examining means to examine this further film for theaforesaid indicia and controllable printing means responsive to theexamining means to establish the optimum printing parameter for eachscene at the printing zone.

The invention will next be explained with reference to a preferredembodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a complete printing apparatus in which thetechnique of the invention is employed;

FIG. 2 diagammatically illustrates the use of two preprint lilms inconnection with a raw stock film in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a device for synchronizing the starting of the twopreprint films as is required in accordance with the techniques of theinvention.

In FIG. 1 is indicated a source 10 of a preprint film 12 which may betransported in one of two directions indicated by arrow 14 to or from atake-up 16. The preprint film 12 may be a negative having a sequence ofscenes thereon each of which will have an optimum set of printingparameters such as, for example, intensity of light or of the variouscolors involved in the scene. Devices for providing such printingparameters are well known and involve the use of interchangeableintercepting light filters or the like. The details of this equipmentform no part of the instant invention.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a source 18 of a raw stock film 20 whichis fed in either of two directions indicated by arrow 22, either to orfrom a take-up device 24. The raw stock film 20 may be, for example, anypositive film which is light sensitive and upon which scenes from thepreprint film 12 are to be printed in frame-by-frarne opticalrelationship. The raw stock film 20 4passes in optical juxtaposition tothe preprint film 12 in the vicinity of controllable printing apparatus26 which is effective to define a first printing zone.

It is conventional in printing techniques of the aforesaid type toprovide a second printing zone at which a sound track preprint film isemployed. A source 28 of a sound track preprint film 30 is illustratedin FIG. 1 along with a take-up 32, the sound track film beingtransportabl'e in either of two directions indicated by arrow 34 througha second printing zone defined by printing apparatus 36.

The first and second printing zones are spaced apart at somedeterminable distance and provision is made for transporting both ofpreprint films 12 and 30 through their respective printing zones insynchronism with the raw stock 20 and in such relationship with eachother and with the raw stock film that a sound track is printed on theraw stock film in compatible and precise relationship with the sequenceof scenes which is printed from the preprint film 12.

In accordance with the invention and as will be shown in greater detailhereinafter, indicia are provided on the sound track preprint lm 30which are effective to indicate relative to preprint film 12 when thereis a transition between scenes appearing on the latter preprint film. Inaddition there is provided an indicia examining means 38 which inspectsthe indicia on film 30 and transmits an electronic signal via line 40 tothe controllable printing apparatus 26 to indicate when a transitionbetween scenes on the film 12 is occurring. The controllable printingapparatus 26 then makes adjustments in the lighting or color or such byvarious means, the details of which -may be conventional and are toowell known to warrant explanation in this text, so that the optimumprinting parameters or conditions are established for the printingoperation being effected in the first printing zone.

In FIG. 2 the raw stock film is indicated at 42 and it is juxtaposed toa preprint film 44 at a first printing zone indicated at 46. Thepreprint film 44 is a negative film having a sequence of frames 48thereon which in well known manner constitutes a sequence of changingscenes. In FIG. 2. preprint film 44 is taken from the source 50 and istransported to zone 46 to the take-up 52. The film 44 is provided with asynchronization hole 54 cooperating with a synchronization device 56,the details of which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.

In FIG. 2 is also indicated at 58 the second printing zone through whichthe sound track negative or preprint film 60 is transported whilepassing from a source 62 to a take-up 64. The sound track in film 60 isindicated diagrammatically at 66. At the same time there are shown byway of illustration two slots or slits 68 and 70 which constitute someof the indicia referred to hereinabove.

Slots 68 and 70 are transversely displaced relative to film 60. This isto indicate that, for example, two series of indicia may be provided,one being employed for one direction of transport of raw stock 42 andthe other for the reverse direction of transport of raw stock 42 orrather the replacement of the latter after the first raw stock film hasbeen printed upon. Stated otherwise, in order to save time the films 44and 60 are run first in one direction and then in the opposite directionthrough their respective printing zones, a new raw stock film 42 beingprovided for each direction of running off of the preprint films. The

two sets of indicia are provided for reasons which will becomehereinafter apparent.

Sprocket holes are shown for transporting the various films inwell-known manner. Conventionally, there will be four holes per framefor 35 mm. film along both side edges thereof and two holes per framefor 16 mm. film along one side edge thereof.

An indicia detector 72 is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2. Thismay take the form of a photoelectric detecting device of known type orelse may be constituted by one or more microswitches or the like. Onedetecting means 74 or 76 is provided for the respective series ofindicia.

It will be appreciated that the detecting means 72 cannot beconveniently located directly at the printing zone. For this reason itis spaced from the printing zone and accordingly a delay must beeffected so as to coordinate the positions of the indicia with thecorresponding transition zones on the film 44. In conventionaltechniques this delay is usually provided by means of complicatedelectronic apparatus. However, since it is quite easy to position theindicia means on the sound track on which the useful information islimited to a relatively small area, the necessary delays for eitherdirection of running of the preprint films can be provided by placingindicia 68 and 70 in staggered relationship so that changes Will be madeby the controllable printing apparatus at the precise time when atransition between scenes occurs on the film 44 and this may be readilyaccomplished without the need for the provision of electronic delays orthe like.

Films 44 and 60 also appear in FIG. 3, in which is illustrated by way ofexample apparatus for assuring that the two films are started insynchronism so that not only is the sound track well coordinated withthe photographic information of film `44 but furthermore the properindicating of transition points is precisely established.

More particularly there is illustrated in FIG. 3 solenoids and 82 whichare used at the commencement of the printing operation. Prior to thiscommencement holes 54 (noted above) and 84 are respectively provided inpreprint films 44 and 60 indicating where the films should be started inorder to achieve the necessary coordination between the preprint filmsand the raw stock film.

To commence operation solenoids 80 and 82 are operated to elevateplungers 86 and 88, which when raised, serve to provide guides ontowhich the films 44 and 60 are hooked by means of holes 54 and 84. Whenthe holes 54 and 84 are respectively engaged over plungers 86 and 88,films 44 and 60 are in proper position to commence the printingoperation. Thereafter solenoids 80 and 82 are deactivated and plungers86 and 84 are depressed thereby to operate microswitches 90 and 92.Switches 90 and 92 are integrated into the machine start circuit 94 sothat none of the driving apparatus of the printing device can be starteduntil the microswitches 90 and 92 are operated. As a result, it isimpossible to start a printing operation until the films 44 and 46 havebeen synchronized for commencing the operation.

As stated hereinabove, the invention avoids the use of edge notching orRF. cues or the like on the film 44, the indicia being provided on asecond film, preferably a sound track preprint film as illustrated inthe form of preprint film 60. The invention thus contemplates a methodof printing on a raw stock film from a preprint film having therein asequence of scenes having different optimum printing parameters, saidmethod comprising indicating the transition of one scene to another bythe use of indicia on a further film so that adjustment can be made tothe optimum printing parameters for each scene.

It will be also noted hereinabove that the raw stock and preprint filmsare cooperatively transported through a printing zone at the same speedto effect a continuous printing operation, the further film, notably thesound track preprint film being transported at the same speed throughits respective printing zone and being examined for the'indicia thereonto determine when printing parameter changes may be necessary.

The invention further provides that the indicia be proerly offset toaccount for the spacing of the examining zone from the printing zone andmoreover provides for two series of indicia or more if required tofacilitate running the preprint films in reverse directions. It is alsoclear that the invention provides for synchronizing the starting of thetwo preprint films to account for the relationship of the preprint iilmsto each other and to the raw stock iilm.

While emphasis has been placed upon the method aspect of the invention,the invention is by no means limited to methods and is directed as wellto the apparatus. This apparatus may comprise means for transporting rawstock lm through a printing zone, means for transporting a preprint lmthrough said zone, in synchronism with the raw stock film, and a furtherfilm having indicia therein to indicate the transition between scenes inthe first said preprint lm. There will then be incorporated into thisapparatus examining means to examine the further film, preferably asound track preprint film, for the aforesaid indicia, and controllableprinting means responsive to the examining means to establish theoptimum printing parameters for each scene at the printing zone. Onceagain the details of this controllable printing means is conventionaland well known to those skilled in the art and need not be furtherdetailed in this text.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modificationsand variations of the methods and apparatus set forth above. Thesemodifications and variations will not depart from the scope of theinvention if defined by the following claim.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of printing on raw stock from a preprint film wherein isdisposed a sequence of scenes having different optimum printingparameters and from a sound track negative separate from the preprintfilm and having a sound track related to said scenes and a salvage areaadjacent the sound track, said method comprising placing indicia in thesalvage area of the sound track negative at positions corresponding topositions on the preprint film to indicate the transition between sceneson the preprint iilm, transporting the preprint lm and sound tracknegative from respective sources through separate printing zones torespective take ups and then reversing the preprint iilm and vsoundtrack negative to return the same to the respective sources and printingonto raw stock in said printing zones during both directions of movementof the preprint film and sound track negative there-through, examiningthe sound track negative for said indicia at an examining zone which isspaced from the associated printing zone and the indicia being offset onthe sound track negative to account for the spacing of the examiningzone, adjusting the printing of the scenes in accordance with saidindicia, said method further comprising arranging the indicia in twosets respectively related to each direction of travel of the sound tracknegative and staggering the sets to account for the differences ofdirection in relation to the spacing between the examining zone andcorresponding printing zone.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,019,260 10/ 1935 Howell.

2,118,894 5/ 1938 Morrissey.

2,153,212 4/1939 Spray 95-75 2,943,554 7/ 1960 Kastner.

3,379,111 4/1968 Jeffee 95-75 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner D. S.STALLARD, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

